Munich’s International Security Conference, or Siko, has brought together a multitude of high-profile politicians, ministers and organization representatives. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that 50 state and government leaders, 60 foreign ministers and over 25 defense ministers will attend the event, which will feature consultations and panels. The conference’s 61st edition, taking place from February 16, is themed “Frieden durch Dialog” (Peace through Dialogue).
The recent announcement that the US and Russian delegations will hold separate Ukraine-focused talks on the first day has added a layer of significance to this year’s event. US Vice President JD Vance has even scheduled a meeting with CDU’s Friedrich Merz, while skipping a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is expected to be replaced in the near future, according to an unnamed US official quoted by Politico.
German officials, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, are expected to attend the conference. The German Defense Ministry has highlighted Pistorius’s participation, stating that a team of experts has been working on the event’s preparation for months.
Professor Tobias Bunde, a politics expert, noted that the Munich Security Conference differs from other similar events in its informal atmosphere, allowing participants to engage in discussions over coffee or a game of soccer, as opposed to the formal protocol typical of other conferences.
The German Foreign Office has released a statement by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, emphasizing the importance of the conference, saying, “This security conference is as important as it has been in a long time. And just as three years ago, when Putin sent his tanks to Kyiv and shook the very foundation of our security in Europe, we are now at a critical crossroads for our security in Europe.”
The conference will also feature the participation of NATO’s new Secretary General, Mark Rutte, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will deliver the opening address, providing insights into the current state of foreign and security policy.
The annual peace conference, a counter-event to the Siko, is also scheduled to take place, featuring speeches by politics expert Ulrike Guérot and EU Parliament member Friedrich Pürner. Heinz Michael Vilsmeier, a representative of the “Act on Against the Siko” group, expects around 5,000 people to participate in the demonstration, which will address issues such as the urgent need for peace in Ukraine, the growing right-wing threat and the upcoming German federal election.